Monday, March 29, 2010

Earth Hour is a global event that is organised by Worldwide Fund for Nature. This hour is celebrated by asking households and other small businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for at least one hour just to raise awareness about the need to take action on the climate change. It was conceived by WWF in 2007 when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated in the event by turning off all their non-essential lights.

Following Sydney’s lead many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008 and 2009. Earth Hour 2010 was reportedly to be the largest event so far where more than 126 countries had signed up for the event. Lights of almost 1,387 icons and landmarks worldwide were turned off for an hour.

In Pakistan, the Earth Hour was observed from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time. In Islamabad the lights and electric appliances of Parliament House, Faisal Masque, Daman-e-Koh, Punjab House besides streetlight of all-important roads were turned off.
Karachi Electric Supply Company also actively participated in the event. On the directives of KESC CEO Tabish Gauhar, unnecessary lights and appliances were switched off at all the KESC offices, grid stations, integrated business centers, business operation centers, and generation plants at Korangi and Bin Qasim power stations.

The exercise was also carried out at Civic Centre, Handicraft Building, Fareed Chambers, Sheraton hotel, Pearl Continental hotel and at the State Life Building.